UPDATE:Rivers Police Begins Trial Of Killer Cop

The Rivers State Police Command said it has begun an orderly room trial for one Inspector James who allegedly killed a 29-year-old private security guard, Gospel Gbaraka, in Abonema Wharf, Port Harcourt.

Gbaraka who hailed from Gwara community in the Khana Local Government Area of Rivers State was shot dead by a trigger-happy marine policeman attached to a private company where the deceased also worked.

The State Commissioner of Police, Joseph Mukan, disclosed this when members of the late Gospel Gbaraka’s family visited him at his office in Port Harcourt, the State capital on Tuesday.

Mukan while commiserating with the family stated that the marine police officer would be dismissed if found guilty, pointing out that there would be no cover-up in the matter which he described as unjustifiable.

“The truth is that, as a command, we cannot send policemen out there on duty to go and kill citizens they are detailed to protect. But be assured that justice must be done and you will see it being done.

“As we are talking we have already put in the machinery of internal disciplinary action which we normally do when things like this happen.

“At the end of the day, he must be brought to justice. When things like this happen, the force does not take it kindly with anybody who uses his firearm unjustifiably.

“The firearm that you are given is to protect lives and secure the property of the citizens. It is not to be used against them.

“Nobody will cover anything because I didn’t send any policeman to go and kill,” CP Mukan stated.